This is a potential DIY project for anyone with a few old sets of miniblinds laying around. I think in nearly every apartment I’ve ever moved into there is at least a few dusty miniblind shades tucked in a corner somewhere. The above piece is named Dawn and is a creative reuse project.

We found this lamp at RePlayGround and thought others might be inspired by the idea. “Dawn is an environmentally conscious lamp. She not only references nature in her sunny shape and color, she is also made from recycled miniblinds.”

The required materials are miniblinds, a base light fixture (hanging pendant, old table lamp, etc) and a central hub depending on the style you choose. The trickiest part is the central anchoring hub, the one pictured above is a custom piece made from metal. A home fix for this could even be an old apple corer.

From here you could try a homemade green glue alternative using gum arabic and plaster of Paris to attach the miniblind blades. You could also punch holes or cut designs in the blinds to add flare and originality.

Or better yet create an overlapping effect by pinning blades of varying lengths at each end to accomplish a shell design. Of course all of these will take some savvy arts and craft skills to make an appealing (and safe) lamp, but the possibilities are endless.